Solar panels are now being embedded in everything from cell-phone cases to braziers, so why not put them on luggage?

Finding power sources for electronic gadgets is a problem that plagues everyone, regardless of their shade of green. While bags and backpacks with solar charging capabilities have been released in the past, they have been from relatively unknown companies and carried price tags that reduced them to little more than wishful thinking for many travelers. This summer, however, luggage industry leader Samsonite announced that it would release a new line of bags seemingly aimed at on-the-go green techies.

To create the bags, Samsonite will work with Ascent Solar, a Colorado company that has made a name for itself in flexible and lightweight thin-film PV technology.

The light-weight CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) modules to be used in the Samsonite products will produce enough electricity to recharge small mobile devices like cell phones, GPS navigators, and media players, according to Ascent Solar.

The bag can reportedly carry a notebook of 15.6 inches, although it does not yet have the ability to charge its battery.

And the bag's green appeal doesn't just end with it's solar-charging capabilities. NewLaunches.com reports that the body of the bag is made out of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET), a plastic that takes 2/3 less energy to utilize. Other studies show that the production of recycled plastic requires 2/3 less of sulphur dioxide, 50% less of nitrous oxide, and almost 90% less water usage than virgin plastic.

And the best news? This bright-idea bag can be yours for under $100 when it shows up in the market later this year.

About the Author:

Beth is a freelance copy writer and environmental blogger living in Colorado. She has an M.S. in Public Communication and Technology from Colorado State University, and is passionate about inspiring people to live and laugh more sustainably. Follow her on Twitter as @ecosphericblog

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